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Bobcat struggles continue at home

By Robin Schuppert on April 26, 2011

The Wagner Seahawks swept a Northeast Conference doubleheader Saturday and took three of four games from the Quinnipiac Bobcats in an early Easter weekend four-game series at Quinnipiac Baseball field.

The Seahawks took the first game Saturday, a seven-inning affair, beating the Bobcats 14-3. The second game, a complete nine innings, also went to the Seahawks, as they won 7-3.

Ryan Van Spronsen started the first game for the Seahawks (13-26, 11-13 NEC), going six innings without allowing an earned run. He gave up just two hits in picking up his first win of the season, improving to 1-3 on the year.

The Bobcats’ (14-22, 10-14) starter in Game 1, Anthony Cinelli, allowed six earned runs in six innings. David Grande entered in the seventh and gave up five earned run in just two-thirds innings pitched.

“I think the statistic that bothers me the most is the lead-off hitters in almost every inning except for three innings got on and that’s danger, that’s legitimate trouble right there,” Quinnipiac skipper Dan Gooley said.

“Anytime you’re behind in the count you’re gonna have problems, there’s no question about it. I didn’t see the chart today yet, but I don’t know exactly how many first pitch strikes we threw to as many hitters as we faced.”

In Game 2, Wagner’s starting pitcher Jon Lucas gave up just one earned in eight innings pitched.

Quinnipiac’s George Dummar allowed five earned runs in seven innings pitched.

“You certainly have to make better pitches,” Gooley said. “You can’t turn around and make mistakes on pitches to real good hitters. This team from Wagner is a good solid club. They’ve struggled a little bit during the course of the year. They’re one through five, they’re a pretty good little team.”

Eddie Brown led the way for the Seahawks offensively, going 5-for-9 in the doubleheader with three runs scored and five runs batted in.

On Thursday the two teams split a doubleheader, with Wagner taking the first game 8-6 in 11 innings and Quinnipiac taking Game 2, 6-5.

“They came in here and they had the same mental attitude that we had. We felt as thought if we could go in and sweep them or if they could sweep us, they’d be back in this [playoff] fight,” Gooley said. “They turned around and took the series. I tip my hat to them. They did a good job.”

The Bobcats will host Central Connecticut State this weekend in their last home conference series of the year. The opening game will be on Friday at 3 p.m.

Photo credit: Joe Pelletier